Getting Answers to Your Questions About Georgia Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents continue to claim the lives of approximately thirty thousand people per year in the U.S., and cause debilitating injuries to many more. While any collision can cause debilitating injuries and wrongful death, the unique physics of Georgia trucking accidents pose a particularly serious risk to those struck by a tractor-trailer. The weight of a semi-truck can exceed that of a compact economy car by more than 25 times. Because of this disparity in bulk and size, as between the two vehicles, the occupants of the small compact car will almost always be the parties that suffer permanent devastating injuries. If you have been involved in a tractor-trailer crash in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, we know you will have many questions and concerns. Remember, you can obtain specific information based on your unique situation by having a no obligation- free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Georgia trucking accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates.
Isn’t it true that trucking accidents are extremely rare events because of the limited number of large trucks when compared to other types of vehicles?
Despite the common misconception that there are relatively few trucking accidents because big-rigs constitute a small number of the total vehicles traveling the roadways, these extremely dangerous motor vehicle collisions are more common than many people realize. There are about 15.5 million trucks traveling on highways throughout the U.S. with nearly a third of these vehicles being tractor-trailers or 18-wheelers.
How often do 18-wheeler accidents occur in the United States?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that nearly 5,000 individuals were killed and another 210,000 people received injuries resulting from 18-wheeler truck accidents in 2002.
How prevalent is driver fatigue in causing trucking accidents?
Studies* - have shown that commercial driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents and accounts for approximately a third of all tractor-trailer accidents. Because commercial truck operators in Atlanta and the surrounding areas of Georgia often make more money if they complete runs faster, they have a significant motivation to falsify logbooks regarding hours of service (HOS) and to continue driving despite exceeding the maximum allowable number of hours within a specified time period. Commercial carriers may look the other way or even encourage such violations to increase company profits.
What other common causes are involved in Atlanta trucking accidents?
Approximately 90% of all trucking accidents are either caused or made more serious by some form of driver error. While this error may sometimes be the fault of the driver of the other vehicle, typical forms of truck driver error may include:
- Lack of attention to “no zones” large truck blind spots
- Failure to conduct required inspections and/or maintenance
- Violations of traffic laws (e.g. speeding)
- Failure to comply with trucking regulations
- Operation of tractor-trailers while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Our Georgia semi-truck accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates are available to provide effective legal representation to those throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/analysis/fmcsa-rra-07-017.htm